MANSFIELD PARK

There is a lively appeal to Alison Larkin's performance of this fine audiobook. She fairly skips through the novel with her clear, glorious voice and her confident portrayal of a broad cast of characters. The pace can, at times, pick up speed and leave the listener bustling to keep up, but, for the most part, Austen's story of Fanny Price's personal journey is engrossing. The complex social commentary often present in Austen's work is ubiquitous here, and Larkin keeps the listener close. As is often the case, a skilled audio performance such as this is an excellent way to enjoy the classics. Larkin animates dialogue beautifully and seems so enamored of the subject matter that the story she tells is hard to resist. L.B.F. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2019]